Dr Zheng Liu
PhD, MA, BA, MPhil
Current positions
Lecturer in Innovation Management
School of Management - Business School
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
I joined the University of Bristol in 2021 as Lecturer in Innovation Management. I have a PhD in Sociology from the University of Cambridge, where I am also affiliated as a Senior Research Associate in Jesus College, Research Affiliate in the Department of Sociology, and Associate Member with Cambridge Digital Humanities. I have served as a PhD External Examiner for Cambridge University and as an Expert Reviewer for European Research Council, the ESRC, the German Research Foundation, and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
My research investigates the social process of innovation, centring around a fundamental question: how do social and cultural factors shape innovation activities? Having examined this question in a number of substantive contexts, from the digital transformation of the book industry in China (supervised by Professor John Thompson, Cambridge) to digital innovation in China's tech sector (with Professor Peter Williamson, Cambridge), I have published in high-ranking journals in sociology, publishing studies, cultural economy, and business and management studies. My book monograph, entitled Cultural Mavericks: The Business and Cultural Politics of Independent Bookselling in China, is coming out with the prestigious Columbia University Press in 2025.
Over the last few years, I have been working on developing a systematic sociology of AI. My award-winning paper 'Sociological Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence: A Typological Reading' (please direct your enquires regarding this paper to the email address shown on the top of this page) is the first result Google.com returns to searches using the keyword 'sociology of AI' and has had a notable impact on the field. My new book chapter on the value of political economy to the sociology of AI is now out with Routledge (Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence and Beyond: Theorising Society and (routledge.com)). I am currently the PI on a British Academy and Sino-British Fellowship Trust jointly-funded project on investigating the social structure of China’s AI industry. For my expertise in the sociological study of AI, I have been invited to review a large number of grant applications, book proposals and journal articles for prestigious international funding bodies, leading book publishers and top-ranking journals, such as the ERC, the ESRC, Routledge, Annual Review of Sociology, Current Sociology, International Sociology, Acta Sociologica, British Journal of Sociology, Sociology Compass, AI & Society, Journal of Sociology, Philosophy & Technology, Cultural Sociology.
I also do practice-oriented research on digital innovation, digital business model innovation and digitalisation, working with companies in China and the UK.
Teaching: I am Pathway Lead for MSc Management (Digitalisation and Big Data Pathway) and Unit Director for Digitalisation, Big Data and Value Creation. I also design and teach courses on innovation and management research methods. I can provide tailored training for organisations and communities on innovation and digitalisation strategies. I have experience of consultancy and advising executives directly.
PhD Supervision Areas: Digitalisation; digital business model innovation; social studies of AI. I welcome applicants using qualitative and mixed methods. Experimental design, Q methodology, SNA and digital methods are particularly welcome. Please email to discuss your research proposal before applying. Please note that I am unable to reply all PhD enquires received and will only reply to those aligning with my own research the best. Reply =/ acceptance.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Understanding China’s AI Industry: Key Actors, Resources, and Social Structures
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of Management - Business SchoolDates
01/09/2024 to 31/08/2026
Publications
Selected publications
28/03/2021Sociological Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence: A Typological Reading
Sociology Compass
Why It’s Time to Think about Copying Chinese Innovators
Ivey Business Journal
Between Business and Morality: Cultural Politics in Independent Bookshops in China
Journal of Cultural Economy
A World of Division and Interdependence: A Sociological Interpretation of the Book Publishing Field in China
Logos: Journal of the World Publishing Community
Whither the Book Retailing Industry in China: A Historical Reflection
Publishing Research Quarterly
Recent publications
01/01/2024Generative AI, Big Tech and the Value of Political Economy Analysis for the Sociology of Artificial Intelligence
Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence and Beyond Theorising Society and Culture of the 21st Century
Sociological Perspectives on Artificial Intelligence: A Typological Reading
Sociology Compass
Why It’s Time to Think about Copying Chinese Innovators
Ivey Business Journal
Between Business and Morality: Cultural Politics in Independent Bookshops in China
Journal of Cultural Economy
A World of Division and Interdependence: A Sociological Interpretation of the Book Publishing Field in China
Logos: Journal of the World Publishing Community